Wanted to share instructions for acquiring a visa for Suriname when traveling from Guyana, in case anyone is headed that way. The first thing to know, visas are not issued at the Guyana/Suriname border.

As of November 2012, you will need:

• Passport photo
• $45.00 USD (non-US citizens, 2 months Multiple Entries) / $100.00 USD (US citizens, Tourist Visa up to 5 years Multiple Entries)
• Transit visa: Valid for 3 (three) days - US$ 15 (A travel itinerary must be provided) Note: it is not clear to me if you can get a transit visa if you are riding a motorcycle across the country, i.e. to French Guiana. I think I asked and was told I could not get this type of visa to ride across the country.
  
• Passport (valid for the next 6 months.)

Arrive at the Suriname Embassy no later than 11:00 AM. Suggest arriving ahead of the cut off time...

Surinamese Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana
171 Peter Rose & Crown Streets, Queenstown
Georgetown
Guyana

Link to Google Maps: http://goo.gl/maps/FDHMX

On arrival fill out the application form provided in the office. Currently the 2 page form can be download from the Internet. http://www.surinameembassy.org/transit.pdf I am providing the link, so you know what information is needed, (ex. address where you will be staying in Suriname.)

Return to the embassy after 2:00 PM to pick up your passport and visa. There is a brief interview with an embassy clerk.

The motorcycle importation paperwork will be completed at the border. Make sure the customs official writes the correct entrance date. When my paperwork was prepared the wrong month was entered, which caused minor problems when leaving the country. Luckily I was able to talk my way through the typo problem.

If you are riding through the Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, you will face the issue of getting liability insurance for French Guiana. I was not able to find short term insurance and was able enter and leave the country. Other riders have done the same, but know that the customs officials are not glad to allow you in without insurance. The motorcycle insurance for French Guiana cannot be purchased in Guyana or Suriname. I tried really hard to find it. If you want to smooth your entrance into French Guiana, I suggest finding an insurance carrier or broker based in France. I got through without insurance in the fall of 2012. Your mileage and experience may differ.

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Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

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suerte
ivan

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Hi Peter,

Great information, thanks very much.

I'm planning Venezuela - Brazil - Guyana - Suriname - French Guiana - Brazil in the 2nd half of 2014.

I'm not 100% clear what you are saying about the three-day transit visa. Are you saying it is or is not possible to cross Suriname from Guyana on a motorcycle? I have a British and Australian passport and Australian registered bike and won't have an itinerary other than heading to FG!

Did you have success crossing through Suriname to French Guiana?

Thanks in advance

Paul N

I heard about transit visas too, but never saw one. The idea here is that the standard Suriname visa is expensive considering it's a tiny country with one main road. A cheap transit visa would allow a quick trip through. In the end, I broke down in Suriname and spent a week longer than I'd planned: good thing to have had the standard visa.

The issue with French Guiana is insurance for your vehicle. I paid a lot for a month's coverage, but later visitors have had to pay for a whole year (±800 euros) or been unable to purchase any at all. Some have resorted to photoshop; others have used European green cards, although these are not valid. YMMV.

The roads and ride are not difficult, with the possible exceptions of entering and exiting from Brazil if during the rainy season(s).

enjoy,

Mark

I'm in Venezuela now, heading for FG. If I get any new information I'll post it.
Ride safe,

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...h-guiana-54790

Suriname does not require visas for EU citizens plus a lot of other country's
A 90 tourist card it available for $25 or €20 in the Suriname airport, George Town and in st Laurence . These are issued on the spot